Has everyone seen the most adorable animated GIF out there? Take a Time Out and a big step back from world events and worries. This is officially the end of summer, and here's a breath of happy, fresh air!

The American public now knows, courtesy of Edward Snowden, the meaning of "consistent with U.S. laws and the protection of privacy and civil liberties," as defined by the NSA and President Barack Obama.

While the confetti is still being swept up from the streets of Washington following the inauguration, and President Barack Obama begins his second term, it's clear that one of his most valuable companions -- Bo -- also knows that it's time to buckle down and get to work.

If we could hold a debate with dogs as the audience, we'd learn a lot about the candidates. Dogs have had thousands of years of evolution, studying the faces, body language, and scent of the humans they travel with.

In one study, racial antipathy even extended to the Obama family dog. At first glance, it seems petty. But the never-ending assault on the Obamas has been the one constant from the moment that Obama declared his presidential candidacy in 2007.

He does after all have a lot of attributes that will appeal to Republican voters all over the country. He's white, male and middle aged, as well as white, male and middle aged, and actually white, male and middle aged.

The Romney-Seamus story is pretty disturbing because it represents what we might call the "anti-Checkers." Unlike Fala, Checkers, and Freckles, the Seamus incident can be interpreted as a glimpse into Romney's character.